Business boom is a real bottler for Wollongong's Kollaras family

Gong business booming: Michael and John Kollaras at the globally successful Wollongong business that bares the family name. Pic: Greg Ellis.

The Kollaras Group is reaping rewards after moves in recent years to focus it core beverage business on building brands across its channels.

Managing director John Kollaras said by focusing on what it does best business is booming.

The company that started from humble beginnings as a fruit shop in North Wollongong has evolved into an enterprise with a global reach.

Mr Kollaras said a number changes made to the growing business in the last few years were proving fruitful.

“This is driving significant growth and value for our business which is now a brand owner and distributor as opposed to a wholesaler and box moving driven business. Our success with these brands nationally and internationally is real.”

An example of the ongoing success was reported late last year in liquor industry publications.

That includes a panel tasting done for National Liquor News which Mr Kollaras described as the leading industry media body in the Australian liquor market.

“All five of the brands we submitted made the ratings page, representing five of just 18 brands in total. Kollaras & Co s brands took out five of the top positions including the highest rated wine (a H Blin Vintage) at 95 points.”

Mr Kollaras said the brands were among some of the fastest growing sparkling wine brands in Australia and came out of partnerships the Oak Flats and Wollongong based business has formed with world class producers.

“Comte de Noiron, for example, is produced through our partnership with Sparkling Wine Maker of the Year and the largest privately owned business in Champagne,” he said.